This is such a simple dish and it packs a huge amount of gastronomic satisfaction into something so easy to make! Don’t let the name fool you, this dishes main ingredient is ground beef or ground lamb, so I have know idea why it is called Bazila (Lebanese for peas) and Riz (Lebanese for rice). Made often by my Lebanese Mother-in-Law, it was a favorite of my husband Matt, while growing up in Buffalo, NY. The key to this dish is the Lebanese 7 Spice Blend . It is what creates all the deliciousness and will have you going back for...
I adapted this recipe from a recipe called “Italian Polenta Cookies” I have made numerous times. Not sure why the cookie recipe is called “Polenta” cookies, other than it sounds a bit chic instead of just simply using the word “cornmeal”. Polenta is actually an Italian dish you make with cornmeal, not the ingredient itself. So, for my lowly recipe I will just stick to the name “Cornmeal Cookies”.In baking there is nothing like cornmeal for added texture, mouthfeel and flavor. It adds pizzazz to pizza dough, nuttiness to cakes and just the right texture to cookies. I enjoy these...
Whoever the first person was to combine Chocolate and Pumpkin was a genius! The sweet and earthy flavor of pumpkin pairs well with the intense flavor of chocolate to create a uniquely delicious flavor. Also, cakes baked with pumpkin get the added benefit of the extra moistness that pumpkin adds. This cake benefits in that department not only from the pumpkin, but also with the addition of the Blood Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil in lieu of butter.This recipe can be made fast and simple by baking it in a 9X13 pan. Or, if you have more time and want...
Scallops from Stonington Seafood Harvesters Scallops from Stonington Seafood Harvesters is one of New London County, CT’s foodie gems. If you have not had their scallops and you are a seafood lover, you are missing out big time! The size of these scallops are somewhere between a walnut and a golf ball and their sweet, sweet, firm texture will leave you wanting more. The best part about Stonington Seafood Harvesters is if you live fairly close, you can visit their little, unmanned, honor system shop in beautiful Stonington Borough, CT and not only pick up scallops, but a plethora of other...
Halvah is a sweet and dense confections that originated in the Middle East. It is made by grinding oily seeds, such as sesame (tahini) or sunflower seeds, to a paste, and then mixing with hot sugar syrup cooked to hard-crack stage or honey. The most popular Halvah seems to be made with sesame. Halvah can be consumed as is with just it’s sweetener, but often it is mixed with other goodies such as chocolate, various nuts, seeds, etc. My first exposure to Halvah was at a Middle Eastern grocery one day while with my mother-in-law. There were these little candy...
Cranberry and Cauliflower Rice Ingredients: – 1 Large head of cauliflower (about 2 ½#), leaves removed, stem trimmed and coarsely chopped into 1” – 2” pcs. 1 Medium sweet onion chopped ¾ Cup celery chopped 2 Cloves garlic chopped 4 Tablespoons O’Live A Little’s Black Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oil ¾ Teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ Teaspoon crushed red pepper ½ Cup dried cranberries ½ Teaspoon salt ½ Cup sliced Almonds, Pistachios or Pepitas or any combo of the three 4 Green onions – chopped for garnish Method of Prep 1. Using a food processor, pulse cauliflower (in batched if necessary)...
